Real defend lead, Barca try to catch up in La Liga
February 2nd, 2012 - 9:13 pm ICT by IANSMadrid, Feb 2 (IANS) Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are set to play their Spanish La Liga matches Saturday. Barca have to win their match if they are to a launch a serious title bid while Madrid are seven points clear at the top of the table.
Real Madrid, who don’t have to leave the capital to play a league match for the entire month, make the short trip south to Getafe.
Jose Mourinho’s side defend their seven point lead at the top of the table and welcome back Sergio Ramos after suspension and Angel di Maria following a thigh injury, Xinhua reported.
Getafe have recovered from a poor start to the season and are currently mid-table. They are also the only side to have defeated Barcelona in the current campaign.
Barca, meanwhile, have no option but to stretch their tired legs following Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final in Valencia and prepare to receive Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou Stadium.
Catalan manager Pep Guardiola rested Xavi Hernandez and Dani Alves in Valencia, but is still without key players who are sidelined with injury. Real Sociedad gained a huge morale boost following their 5-1 thrashing of Sporting Gijon last weekend.
Barca are clear favourites, but Real Sociedad will remember their fightback to force a 2-2 draw earlier in the season.
- Barcelona must beat Real Sociedad at home - Feb 03, 2012
- Barca look to put pressure on Madrid - Mar 23, 2012
- Must win game for Barca as Betis visit Camp Nou - Jan 14, 2012
- Real Madrid extend La Liga lead - Nov 21, 2011
- Barca trail one point behind Real after crushing victory - Apr 11, 2012
- Guardiola refuses to give up on La Liga title - Jan 29, 2012
- Crucial weekend for Madrid, Barca in La Liga - Feb 10, 2012
- Barcelona look to bounce back against Osasuna - Sep 16, 2011
- Messi becomes Barcelona's all-time leading scorer - Mar 21, 2012
- Barcelona take on Zaragoza in crucial La Liga tie - Nov 18, 2011
- Not giving up Primera Liga title: Guardiiola - Jan 30, 2012
- Key clash in Spanish League as Barcelona visits Valencia - Sep 20, 2011
- Barcelona squad at limit for Malaga trip - Jan 20, 2012
- Barcelona take on Espanyol in city derby - Jan 07, 2012
- Real Madrid to face Sevilla in Spain's Primera Liga - Dec 15, 2011
Tags: camp nou stadium, catalan, copa del rey, dani alves, fc barcelona, feb 2, fightback, jose mourinho, launch, mid table, pep, real madrid, real sociedad, seven point, seven points, short trip, spanish la liga, thigh injury, tired legs, xinhua